PREPARING YOUR CAR FOR EXTREME COLD
Winter is far from over – and the recent cold snap and back-to-back storms across the UK
have reminded us just how harsh winter driving conditions can be.
From icy roads and flooding to reduced visibility, winter is pretty miserable at the best of
times – but the last few have felt unusually cold. For ageing cars, plummeting temperatures
can be a real test of their endurance.
One of the most common casualties of winter? Car batteries. But that’s just the tip of the
iceberg – no pun intended…
To keep your car running smoothly and safely through the colder months, you’ve got to
prepare it for extreme weather conditions. So, let’s highlight common seasonal maintenance mistakes, and give you some practical tips to keep your car winter-ready.
WHY WINTER IS TOUGH ON CARS
Winter weather doesn’t just make driving more challenging; it also puts extra strain on your
vehicle. The biggest issue tends to be that cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency. That
goes for EVs, too.
Salt grit corrodes parts and wears down tyres, heating systems become overworked for
warmth and visibility – and reduced daylight demands fully functioning lights all round.
Let’s start with battery health first, because without this, your car won’t even start!
1. CAR BATTERY HEALTH IN WINTER
Cold weather is the nemesis of car batteries – especially older ones. Batteries lose up to
35% of their power in freezing temperatures, and starting your engine requires more energy
than any other function in your car. Your car’s original battery might go for 10 years with only
minimal signs of degradation – only to be totally overwhelmed by one cold night.
So, if you don’t fancy waking up to a car that won’t start – here’s how to keep your battery in
top shape.
CHECK THE CHARGE
Use a multimeter to test your battery’s voltage. A healthy battery should read around 12.6
volts when the engine is off. You may be able to charge it, depending on its age and
condition.
CLEAN THE TERMINALS
Corrosion on the battery terminals can hinder performance. Clean them up, then apply
protective (and conductive) battery terminal grease.
CONSIDER A REPLACEMENT BATTERY
If your battery is more than 5 years old, it’s worth replacing it before winter sets in. If it fails,
you’ll be replacing it anyway – just at a really inopportune moment!
Don’t use your car often? Use a trickle charger to maintain the battery’s charge while it’s not
moving.
2. TYRES
Tyres are your only point of contact with the road. And in winter, they’ve got to work their
hardest.
The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm – but for winter driving, aim for at least
3mm for better grip. Cold weather can also cause tyre pressure to drop below recommended
levels, so check and inflate your tyres to the manufacturer’s specs for winter driving.
And if you live in an area with lots of snow or ice (hello to our readers in Scotland!), consider
switching to winter tyres. They’re designed to perform better in challenging winter conditions.
Oh, and don’t forget about your spare tyre, if you’re lucky enough to have one. Make sure it’s
in good condition and properly inflated, just in case.
3. HEATING AND DEFROSTING YOUR CAR
A functioning heating system isn’t just about comfort – it’s essential for clearing windows and
maintaining visibility. It’s not unheard of for heaters to fail, and when they do, you can be in
for a rough ride.
Thankfully, they’re a simple thing to check. Make sure the blower works at all speeds and
that warm air is circulating properly. Oh, and keep a can of deicer and an ice scraper in your
car for quick window clearing on frosty mornings. No hot water, unless you want to shatter
some glass with thermal shock!
4. LIGHTS
With shorter days and longer nights, your car’s lights are more important in winter than any
other time. So, test your headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights. Check your reg
plate lighting too, and replace any blown bulbs.
5. FUEL AND FLUIDS
Cold weather can affect your car’s fluids – especially if you have a diesel motor. In freezing
temperatures, diesel can thicken or partially solidify, kind of like fat clogging a drain. This can
block fuel filters and lines, and prevent your car from starting. Use a winter-grade diesel
additive to prevent this from happening.
Pro tip: keep your fuel tank at least half full to reduce the risk of condensation forming and
freezing in the fuel lines.
Extreme cold can affect oil, too. Thicker oil can make it harder to start your engine in cold
weather. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended winter oils.
And use a winter-ready screen wash with a low freezing point, to prevent it from turning to
ice on your windshield.
PLAY IT COOL
Preparing your car for colder UK winters isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns. It’s also about
your safety, and the safety of others on the road. So play it cool – and keep an eye on
battery health, tyre condition, heating systems, fluids and visibility.
And don’t wait until the first frost to start next time – but if you need a little helping hand, pop
your car in for a winter service with us.
BOOK A CAR SERVICE WITH MASTER TECH AUTOS
No matter how cold it gets, we’ll help you get your motor running. Call 023 8061 1161 or
contact us to book your car service.